The BIG Energy Upgrade

As part of a consortium of partners, YES Energy Solutions helped deliver the pioneering BIG Energy Upgrade scheme - a regional energy saving programme operating throughout six Local Authority areas in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

The BIG Energy Upgrade was the first scheme of its kind in the UK to adopt the innovative whole house / whole community approach. It offered householders from some of the UK's most vulnerable communities energy saving advice, services and support.

Residents living in areas of extreme deprivation were offered a tailor made ‘home energy package’ which provided free or discounted installations to improve their property’s thermal values and heating facilities.

The project’s main objective was to improve housing stock that was unsuitable for more traditional measures, whilst helping vulnerable householders take steps towards affordable, low carbon living.

The schemes implemented under the BIG Energy Upgrade drew funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Government’s Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP). YES Energy Solutions delivered successful schemes in areas of Kirklees, Barnsley, Leeds, Doncaster, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.

The BIG Energy Upgrade totals £15.56m of which £7.10m is funded by the Yorkshire and Humber European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013, one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which support local businesses and create jobs. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf.

Our Involvement

YES Energy Solutions played a vital role in bringing together Local Authorities and Housing Associations as well as working with the University of Sheffield, who undertook academic research to provide a real understanding of the interaction between the critical energy efficiency issues arising in each area.

We supported the programme through marketing and outreach work which involved the development of the project’s brand and customer engagement activities. We also worked closely with our Energy Company partners to procure additional funding to support private sector householders throughout the scheme.

YES Energy Solutions’ outreach team supported several area based initiatives through the BIG Energy Upgrade. Clad in distinctive green uniforms, our advisors engaged residents in the home, at community events, at local schools and at places of worship. Each Householder received in depth energy saving advice, tailored to their property and lifestyle. Not only did we discuss the impacts of any forthcoming installations, but spent time explaining how small lifestyle changes could provide significant financial rewards.

YES Energy Solutions tried to ensure that private sector homes could also benefit from the scheme, attracting support funding from the Council and additional funding from energy suppliers to offer private residents a broad range of energy saving services. The programme not only improved household energy efficiency standards but helped hundreds of local people reconnect with their community and understand the benefits of energy saving.